A severe storm hit Prince Edward Island in the middle of the afternoon on Wednesday, bringing strong winds, hail, heavy rain, thunder, and lightning. The storm passed through Charlottetown at approximately 1:40 p.m., causing power outages for numerous Maritime Electric customers, primarily in Charlottetown.
Meteorologist Ryan Snodden from CBC described the weather as turbulent in central and eastern parts of the province. He highlighted the slow-moving thunderstorms that resulted in intense rainfall, strong winds, and localized hail. Radar estimates indicated rainfall rates reaching nearly 50 mm/h during the storm.
There were indications that a tornado likely touched down near Souris in eastern P.E.I. A video shared with CBC News captured trees being lifted into the air and the tornado forming as it moved over the water. Brielle Campbell, residing in Little Harbour near Souris, recounted witnessing what seemed like a tornado while observing the storm from her home.
Residents in the area also reported chaotic weather conditions. Blair Chapman mentioned shrubs being swept into the air near their property, along with apple trees being uprooted and trees at the treeline being torn out. The scene was likened to a moment from “The Wizard of Oz.”
The storm brought unpredictable weather patterns, with reports of heavy rain, sunshine, and sudden downpours. Charlottetown police issued warnings about potential localized flooding in the city, advising caution to drivers. Certain streets in the Sherwood and Parkdale areas were closed due to flooding, and some businesses, as well as the sports center at UPEI, shut down temporarily.
The storm’s impact was severe enough to cause a dumpster to float away in flooding on Exhibition Drive in Charlottetown, as captured in a video by Alex Pickles. The storm system disrupted normal activities in the city on Wednesday afternoon.